The future of Lincoln is here, and there’s a whole bunch of style and substance that wasn’t present in their cars before the 2013 Lincoln MKZ AWD arrived this year. The new MKZ is the first Lincoln created by a dedicated team in its new Lincoln Design Studio with a sweeping profile that incorporates one of the world’s widest-opening retractable glass roofs. This new offering from Lincoln was a major test for Lincoln, and we spent a week behind the wheel to see if the folks at Lincoln delivered.

EXTERIOR

A sweeping roofline defines the new luxury sedan’s profile. The steeply raked windshield and lengthened backlight make for a sleeker and more flowing appearance that is 10 percent more aerodynamic than the model it replaces. Although strikingly modern, the design retains classic Lincoln design elements, including a more refined interpretation of the split-wing grille, first seen on the 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr. Rearview mirrors stand on door-mounted, sculpted pedestals. This fitment enables the front door glass to extend farther forward to improve visibility and to allow even more light into the interior. The crafted headlamp assemblies include bright, energy-efficient LED lighting. The front headlights turn in sync with the steering wheel, providing enhanced visibility. At the rear, LED technology enabled a thin, distinctive full-width tail lamp graphic. There is no doubt that the MKZ is a real attention grabber on the road, as the looks and compliments were coming from all directions.

INTERIOR

When I first entered the cabin of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ AWD, the striking improvements from the prior model weren’t even on my mind as I just thought that this new car from Lincoln had one of the sharpest interiors I’ve seen no matter what segment we’re testing. Design teams clearly created an inviting interior featuring bold architectural elements, rich natural materials and fine details.

This is the type of functional interior that will appeal to younger and more diverse drivers that appreciate luxury and technology. Innovation and technology abound inside the new MKZ. Replacing the traditional mechanical transmission shift lever is a contemporary five-button interface. The individual buttons of Push Button Shift engage Park, Neutral, Reverse, and forward gears in two modes, Drive and Sport. Push Button Shift gave designers freedom to create a sculptural multi-level center console with more functional storage areas.

Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy, who started martial arts as a kid, began training for competitive fighting in 2002 after 14 years of traditional marital arts. He joined the UFC in 2008 and made his debut at UFC 89, winning by split decision.

Dan hardy is a very hard working, outspoken person that personifies a great attitude. In part one of this interview, I had the opportunity to talk to Dan about his artistry, his experience training with the Shaolin monks, the GSP fight, the possibility of losing his contract with the UFC, being diagnosed with a heart condition WPW and the reaction by Dana White.

Mike Furci: First, I’d like to thank you for taking the time today to talk with me Dan.

Dan Hardy: No worries Mike, no worries.

MF: Fans of Bullz-Eye and MMA, today we’re talking with Dan Hardy, one of the most recognizable MMA fighters of today, a UFC welterweight crowd pleasure who fought Georges St-Pierre for the title in 2010. In that fight, he escaped two submission attempts that would have easily forced the vast majority of fighters to tap out, which I believe, Dan, is not only a testament to you, the fighter, but also Dan Hardy the person – as the audience will see as we proceed through this interview. And though you’re not currently fighting, you definitely have not been sidelined.

And before we get into what you’ve been doing recently, I’d like to take the Bullz-Eye readership back somewhat to get to know you a little better and discuss your career as a fighter, if you don’t mind.

DH: Sure.

MF: One thing I didn’t know myself as much as I follow MMA is that you’re an artist.

DH: Yeah, that always comes as a surprise to people.

MF: As most artists, I’m sure you discovered your talents when you were very young, and I understand you were also doing MMA at a very young age. What pulled you into the direction of MMA as a career?

DH: Really, just the drive at the time. I mean, I’ve always been an artist. As a kid, I always had a sketchbook in my hand, so even my parents thought I was going to follow that path. But when I was at university studying art, it occurred to me that this was my athletic peak and I needed to explore it right now. I could always return to art in the future.

In retribution for all the gags Russell Brown has played on his friends over the years, his brother Sean and their friends decided to team up for the ultimate payback. By leveraging the group’s collective experience as plumbers, electricians and carpenters, Sean and his buddies were able to plumb beer throughout Russell’s entire home in Auckland, New Zealand. With the help of Tui Brewery, they managed to tap every faucet (including the shower) to spout cold beer to the surprise of Russell and his wife.

After hearing about Saul’s “guy” for quite some time without ever getting the slightest hint about the identity of this individual that could, for a price, make you disappear, it seemed reasonable to presume that we might never actually catch a glimpse of him. Surprisingly, however, we were finally introduced to him this week, and the casting couldn’t have been any better: ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Robert Forster. I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings, but, dammit, he might well go down in history as my favorite Breaking Bad guest star of all time. Blame it on my love of Jackie Brown and a youthful obsession with Alligator if you wish, but for my money, you just don’t get much cooler than Robert Forster.

As it turns out, Saul’s also taking advantage of his “guy,” and with good reason, given that he’s arguably the only one in the mix with a higher profile than Walter White at the moment. Soon, he’ll be living in Nebraska and – fingers crossed! – maybe even managing a Cinnabon. First, though, he’s got to escape from the clutches of his temporary bunkmate. Despite seeing him hop into the van and drive away at the end of last week’s episode, Walt’s departure from ABQ has yet to take place, due to the fact that, as implied a moment ago, he’s a pretty hot commodity that just about every law enforcement agency in America wants to get a piece of. Not that that’s stopped him from spending his time in the basement of the vacuum-repair place figuring out how to extract his revenge on Todd’s uncle and his neo-Nazi pals.

Jocelyn Binder is an incredibly beautiful and elegant model. Here’s an awesome photo of her as she strikes a sexy pose without her top. Check out more photos from this all-natural beauty very sensual Bullz-Eye shoot.